White Spa & Float Lounge

Float Lounge

What is floating?

Floating is the ultimate in relaxation and healing. Floatation Therapy is based on a revolutionary scientific approach to deep relaxation called Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique or REST.

Floatation REST restricts or eliminates all of the external stress-factors or stimuli that normally affects us every day. We are often not consciously aware of it but this can take up to 95 percent of our physical and mental energy.

Floating in complete darkness and silence liberates large areas of the brain devoted to processing sensory information, further increasing the depth of mental relaxation.

Floatation REST triggers a profound relaxation response that is totally natural and effortless. While floating the brain slows down into theta waves, the brain wave state of tranquility creativity and very deep relaxation. Theta is the brain state of REM sleep (dreams), hypnosis, the place of creative insights.

Theta is the twilight state just before sleeping and just after waking, the border between the conscious and the subconscious world, and by learning to use a conscious waking Theta brain wave we can access and influence the powerful subconscious part of ourselves that is normally inaccessible to our waking minds. While in the Theta state, the mind is capable of deep and profound learning, healing and personal growth.

What happens during a float appointment?

Below is a step by step guide explaining what will happen when you come to WHITE Spa for floatation therapy. Many people feel anxious about experiencing it their first time so we have created this page to help put your mind at ease and so that you can have insight into what to expect.

Everyone has different float experiences and even your personal experiences will differ each time, that is the beauty of float therapy, not one float is the same.
We highly recommend that you experience it 3 times before judging it as it takes a few times to learn how to relax fully and also the biological benefits that floatation brings helps your body to adjust every time more easily.

ARRIVAL
Upon arrival at White, you will be welcomed by one of our friendly staff and taken through to either the lounge or directly to your private float room. After all of the necessary questions have been asked, your float therapist will explain how everything works and will leave you to begin your experience.

SHOWER & ENTER THE POD
Showering is important before and after the float. Either still wet from the shower or dry, you can then ease yourself into the pod slowly and safely. Closing the lid during the float will keep the pod at the most comfortable and beneficial temperature. You can expect gentle music and soft lighting rather than darkness. It’s all designed to help you to release into your new environment and the experience it provides - deep relaxation and bliss. Inside the pod, you lie totally supported in a warm concentration of Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate).
Magnesium is the second most abundant element in your cells, and Sulfate improves absorption of nutrients. Both are essential for maintaining a healthy body and help to form joint proteins, brain tissue and so much more.

DURING
The water is maintained at relaxed skin temperature (34.8C), making it safe for pregnant mums and ideal for safely detoxifying the body. Lying totally weightless in silence and darkness, your nervous, skeletal and muscular systems can surrender to total relaxation and healing. The body's natural response to sensory deprivation allows the brain to gently slide into the meditative theta state.
Emotional stress, magnesium deficiency and the pull of gravity are all proven to be the causes of many chronic aches and pains, as well as debilitating illnesses. While you float, your body is relieved of stress and you feel completely weightless. Your brain then releases endorphins which bring with them a heightened sense of well-being.

FINAL MINUTES AND AFTER FLOAT
In the final minutes of your float session, soft distant music and a gentle change in the lighting will bring you back to full awareness. You can then return to the shower to wash the salt from your body and hair using our own preferred body washes and hair products. We ask that you that you not bring your own as it is important to not get chemicals in the pods. A powder room is provided in the rest room area at the end of the hall, where you will find a hair dryer, straightening irons and a selection of Osmosis Mineral Make up for your convenience. We do ask that you use this area if you wish to dry your hair or apply make up. We then invite you to relax in our float lounge and enjoy a either a glass of beautiful fresh ionized water or an iced or hot organic tea infusion before making your departure back to reality in your own time.

For the bodyRestoring Balance

The human body has an exquisitely sensitive self–monitoring and self–regulating system that is constantly working to maintain the body in homeostasis – an optimal state of balance, harmony, equilibrium and stability. Considered in these terms, we can define stress as a disruption of our internal equilibrium, a disturbance of our natural homeostasis.

Research now indicates that many of floating’s most powerful effects come from its tendency to return the body to a state of homeostasis. When we view the mind and body as a single system, it becomes clear that external stimuli are constantly militating against the system’s equilibrium, every noise, and every degree of temperature above or below the body’s optimal level, every encounter with other people, everything we see and feel can disrupt our homeostasis.

But when we enter the tank, we abruptly stop making constant adjustments to outer stimuli.
Since there are no external threats, no pressures to adapt to outside events, the system can devote all its energies to restoring itself. The normal state, of course, is optimum health, enthusiasm, and immense pleasure in being alive.

For Pregnant MothersFloating for Prenatal Health

There are many benefits of floating but pregnant women often find immediate relief from float therapy! With its sense of weightlessness on achy joints and muscles, experiencing floatation therapy while pregnant can bring tremendous source of relief for expectant mothers.

Most doctors have no concern with pregnant women floating during the second and third trimester but as with most new activities, it’s recommended to check with your physician before your first float while pregnant. While little research has been conducted specifically on floating during pregnancy, there are still several known benefits of floating that seem to be amplified and can play an important part in a healthy pregnancy.

Stress Relief for Expectant Mothers
Stress relief from floating has been demonstrated in many scientific studies, and there’s no better time to invest in stress reduction than during a pregnancy. Research has shown that a mother’s stress levels during pregnancy can affect her baby’s development in infancy, and for years beyond(1). That means that if floating can reduce your stress, it could also help pave the way for healthy lifelong development for your baby.

Better Sleep During Pregnancy
Scientific research confirms what many women know to be true: disrupted sleep and insomnia are incredibly common during pregnancy(2). Floating has been shown to help individuals struggling with insomnia to get a better night’s sleep (3), and can be a wonderful natural alternative to sleep-inducing medications that many women prefer to avoid during pregnancy.

Magnesium Absorption for Prenatal Health
The mineral magnesium is crucial for a wide range of biological functions, and women are advised to increase their intake during pregnancy(4). Magnesium is also one of the two components of Epsom salt, used to create the buoyancy in a float tank (the other is sulfate). Since magnesium can be absorbed through the skin as well as through food or dietary supplements, floating is an excellent way to ensure pregnant women are meeting their recommended intake of the important mineral.

Physical Comfort During Pregnancy
Of course, the most obvious benefit of floating while pregnant is its inherent physical comfort. Almost all women experience aches and pains from carrying the excess weight of a baby, and the weightless sensation of a float tank provides immediate relief.

The "Mirror Effect"
There’s no scientific research to back up this final benefit, but ample anecdotal reports. Many pregnant women find the experience of floating in a darkened tank, while their baby is floating in their own womb, to provide an incredible bonding experience. In the floating community, this is known as “the mirror effect”. Some women also report enhanced feelings of the baby’s movements during floating, further enhancing their emotional bond with their unborn baby.
There’s no better time to take the best possible care of your mind and body than during pregnancy! After all, you’re floating for two. Take advantage of our float memberships available to our regular floaters to receive discounted frequent floats, or give the gift of relaxation by purchasing a float therapy gift certificate for your special someone(s) today.

1. The Timing of Prenatal Exposure to Maternal Cortisol and Psychosocial Stress is Associated with Human Infant Cognitive Development, Child Development, January 2010.

TANK HYGIENEHow Hygienic are the pods?

We Take our tank hygiene very seriously and are dedicated to delivering the highest levels of hygiene standards at all times.
If the correct hygiene procedures are followed then floating in a floatation pod is many times safer than swimming in a public swimming pool or even your own backyard hot tub.

HIGH SALT EFFECT
The water in the pod is roughly 40 percent magnesium sulfate (Epson Salt), essentially making the water sterile. No pathogenic organisms can survive salt concentrations above 10 percent.

UV LIGHT TREATMENT
Water is also pumped by a UV light array, taking care of any micro-organisms that survives the extreme salt content of the water.

FILTRATION
Every drop of water passes through a 0.5 micron filter three times after every float. Skimmers are also used to keep the surface completely clear.

CHEMISTRY
We measure and maintain the pH, alkalinity, buoyancy and temperature of our pods constantly. We also use hydrogen peroxide as an additional non-toxic disinfectant.

Floating if you have any skin irritation or dermatitis (we provide Vaseline to minimise the stinging sensation)

Floating with a full or empty stomach

Floating when de-hydrated

Having caffeine or cigarettes prior to your session (we advise no coffee for at least 3-4 hours prior to floating)

Floating if you have substantial skin cuts or an allergic reaction to salt

THE BENEFITS OF FLOATING

A time efficient, cost effective way to relieve stress, anxiety and fatigue

One hour of floating equals up to eight hours of deep sleep​

Reduces or eliminates pain from tight, sore or tired muscles

Speeds recovery and rehabilitation from injuries

Detoxifies the body, rejuvenates and exfoliates skin

Relieves sleep disorders and jet lag

Lowers blood pressure and increases circulation

Assists with breaking addictions and weight-loss

Wonderful, weightless rest during pregnancy

Improves physical stamina and mental clarity

Natural anti-depressant and pain relief

Transdermal absorption of Magnesium

For the mind & spirit

MINDNeuroscientists have recently discovered the brain is an endocrine organ that secretes numerous neurochemicals that can influence our behavior. Our brains secrete hormones that help create our emotions. Each of us creates different amounts of these various neuro chemicals, and those who create, for example, more endorphins (natural opiates) experience more pleasure as a result of a given experience than those who create fewer endorphins.

Tests indicate that floating increased the secretion of endorphins at the same time as it reduces the levels of a number of stress–related neuro chemicals, such as adrenaline, nordpinephrine, ACTH, and cortisol . These substances that can cause tension, anxiety, irritability and are related to ailments such as heart disease, hypertension and high levels of cholesterol.

SPIRITMore interesting than the well known alpha waves generated by the brain in moments of relaxation, are the slower theta waves which are accompanied by vivid memories, free association, sudden insights, creative inspiration, feeling of serenity and ‘oneness with the universe’. It is a mysterious, elusive state, potentially highly productive and enlightening; but experimenters have had a difficult time studying it and it is hard to maintain, since people tend to fall asleep once they begin generate theta waves. One way of learning to produce theta waves is to perfect the art of meditation.

Floaters quickly enter the theta state while remaining awake, consciously aware of all the vivid imagery and creative thoughts that pass through their minds, and after getting out of the floatation environment, they can continue to generate larger amounts of creativity–promoting theta waves for up to three weeks.

For Sports

Many Olympic Athletes and professional sports people are adding float therapy to their training and rehabilitation regime around the world today.

Performance recovery is an integral part of any athletes training and they have been enjoying the benefits of Epsom salt baths for many decades, so just imagine the amazing health benefits that over 500kg of Epsom salt in our tanks can bring to your body.

Athletes around the world have been using float tanks since the 1980s to speed up the recovery process, relieve muscle pain and stiffness, prevent cramping, enhance sporting performance and promote injury healing. When you use floatation therapy for sports and athletic performance it not only provides exceptional muscle recovery but it is also very beneficial to float prior to an intense workout, athletic competition, training, or game as it increases stamina and the ability to concentrate.

PRE:
Visualization prior to an event is intensified while in the tank and can therefore allow athletes to focus and better prepare.

POST:
After a sporting event athletes are able to use the tank to de stress by reducing cortisol levels, recover and re-attune their body and mind which can be especially beneficial when they have a short turnaround between trainings/events/completions or games.

WHY & HOW:
The reason that floating is able to speed up recovery time and promote healing in athletes is because both the lymphatic and blood flow are maximized as a result of being in a state of complete relaxation, allowing the body's natural/biological healing stages to take place. Endorphin levels are increased and this is very effective in relieving chronic pain.
The high concentration of salts allows the muscles to relax and become loose which also helps to dramatically minimize the risk of injury in athletes, therefore being a very successful therapy for injury prevention.
When athletes over train they produce a build-up of lactic acid in the muscles which is a toxic by product of anaerobic glycolysis. Floating reduces lactic acid build up.

WHO:
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Joe Rogan (UFC), Tom Brady (NFL), Steven Hauschka (NFL) are just a few examples of well-known sporting celebrities & teams that are using floatation as a part of their recovery and preparation. In the past 12 months many MMA fighters, Boxers, AFL, NFL, Rugby League & Rugby union players in Australia have also added floating into their regime.

FLOATATION THERAPY WILL ALLOW YOU TO RECOVER AT A RAPID RATE.

After you have floated

Now that you have floated, you may experience some different things.

Some people experience water in the ears, tiredness, thirst and detox symptoms which may include headache, nausea, stomach cramps and looser bowels.

If you should experience any of these then please drink a lot of clean water over the next few days & eat alot of fresh fruits and vegetables. This is nothing to worry about. Trust in your body’s ability to detox in a way that you are able to handle and be please be gentle with yourself & rest if need be.

Take some time out to allow the process as these symptoms if they occur will not last too long. Remember that Floatation Therapy is a profound way of healing!

Other things more commonly expressed: Feeling Extremely Relaxed, Lighter, Happier, Clear, Insightful, Focused, Healthier, Pain Free, Skin Feels and looks Amazing, Inner Peace, More Fulfilled, More Able to take Action, Less Stressed for days/weeks and able to handle stress differently.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of the above then please feel free to call or email us to discuss anything that arises for you, we really value your honest feedback.

We highly recommend that you reward your body & mind with floatation therapy on a regular basis & we look forward to supporting you on your float therapy journey.